SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN AT ESCALATING VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO

29 January 1999

Press Release
SC/6637

SECURITY COUNCIL EXPRESSES DEEP CONCERN AT ESCALATING VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO

19990129 Presidential Statement Welcomes and Supports Contact Group Decisions Aimed at Establishing Framework and Timetable for Political Settlement

The Security Council this evening expressed deep concern at the escalating violence in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and underlined the risk of a further deterioration in the humanitarian situation if steps were not taken by the parties to reduce tensions.

In a statement read out by its President, Celso L.N. Amorim (Brazil), the Council welcomed and supported the decisions of the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States (the Contact Group) following their London meeting on 29 January, which aimed at establishing a framework and timetable for a political settlement. It demanded that the parties accept their responsibilities and comply fully with the decisions of the Foreign Ministers and with the Council's relevant resolutions.

The Council reiterated its full support for international efforts, including those of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Kosovo Verification Mission, to reduce tensions and facilitate a political settlement based on substantial autonomy and equality for all citizens and ethnic communities in Kosovo and the recognition of the legitimate rights of the Kosovo Albanians and others. Also, it reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Reiterating its concern about attacks on civilians, the Council underlined the need for a full and unhindered investigation of such actions and called on the parties to cease immediately all provocations and acts of violence.

The meeting, which began at 10:46 p.m., adjourned at 10:49 p.m.

Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6637 3974th Meeting (Night) 29 January 1999

Presidential Statement

The full text of the statement, to be issued as document S/PRST/1999/5, reads as follows:

"The Security Council expresses its deep concern at the escalating violence in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It underlines the risk of a further deterioration in the humanitarian situation if steps are not taken by the parties to reduce tensions. The Council reiterates its concern about attacks on civilians and underlines the need for a full and unhindered investigation of such actions. It calls once again upon the parties to respect fully their obligations under the relevant resolutions and to cease immediately all acts of violence and provocations.

"The Security Council welcomes and supports the decisions of the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America (the Contact Group), following their meeting in London on 29 January 1999 (S/1999/96), which aim at reaching a political settlement between the parties and establish a framework and timetable for that purpose. The Council demands that the parties should accept their responsibilities and comply fully with these decisions and requirements, as with its relevant resolutions.

"The Security Council reiterates its full support for international efforts, including those of the Contact Group and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Kosovo Verification Mission, to reduce tensions in Kosovo and facilitate a political settlement on the basis of substantial autonomy and equality for all citizens and ethnic communities in Kosovo and the recognition of the legitimate rights of the Kosovo Albanians and other communities in Kosovo. It reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

"The Security Council will follow the negotiations closely and would welcome members of the Contact Group keeping it informed about the progress reached therein.

"The Security Council will remain actively seized of the matter."

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